Step back in time with this authentic Wyoming Wildcatters Basketball team t-shirt, celebrating one of the most memorable franchises in Continental Basketball Association history. The Wildcatters took Wyoming by storm from 1982-1988, bringing professional basketball excitement to the heart of Casper for six action-packed seasons.
The Wyoming Wildcatters burst onto the basketball scene in December 1982 as part of the CBA's ambitious expansion plans. Playing their home games at the 8,842-seat Casper Events Center, the team made their debut on December 3, 1982, with an impressive 117-111 victory over the Billings Volcanos. Under the guidance of head coach Jack Schalow, the Wildcatters finished their inaugural 1982-83 season with a respectable 22-22 record, good enough for second place in the CBA's Western Division, with Charles Thompson leading the team by averaging 25.9 points per game.
Throughout their six-season history, the Wildcatters established themselves as a competitive force in the CBA, which served as the official developmental league for the NBA during much of the 1980s. Despite maintaining a remarkably consistent regular season record—winning between 21 and 24 games each year and hovering around .500—the team showed a knack for elevating their play in the postseason. The Wildcatters reached the CBA championship series twice, in both 1984 and 1988, falling to the Albany Patroons on both occasions, with their 1984 finals opponent coached by future 11-time NBA champion Phil Jackson.
The Wildcatters' final season in 1987-88 featured one of the most unlikely playoff runs in CBA history. Throughout the season, the franchise faced mounting financial difficulties that culminated on March 1, 1988, when owner John O'Donnell was forced to turn the club over to the league for operation. Despite losing 20 of their final 23 regular season games and limping to a 23-31 record, the team staged a remarkable playoff run, defeating the La Crosse Catbirds and the Rockford Lightning to earn a finals rematch with Albany. Though they held a 3-2 series lead, the Wildcatters lost games 6 and 7, including the decisive final contest by a score of 105-96 on April 30, 1988, which proved to be the franchise's final game.
This premium quality throwback tee features the iconic Wyoming Wildcatters logo on the front, reproduced with a deliberately distressed, cracked, vintage feel that captures the nostalgic essence of this beloved team. The back remains blank, keeping the focus on the legendary emblem in the team's distinctive cardinal red and royal blue colors that represents an important chapter in Wyoming basketball history.
Product Specifications:
- Printed on premium Gildan 5000
- 5.3 oz, 100% preshrunk cotton for comfort and durability
- Tear-away label for maximum comfort
- Classic unisex fit looks great on everyone
- Available in sizes S-5XL
- Variety of popular colors available
- Created using cutting-edge direct-to-garment printing technology for exceptional detail and wash-resistance
Whether you were there cheering from the stands at the Casper Events Center during their CBA days, or you're just discovering the legend of the Wyoming Wildcatters, this shirt lets you carry a piece of Wyoming basketball history wherever you go.
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